MAKING BEACHES SAFER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 17 September 1935, Page 17

MAKING BEACHES SAFER

Ambitious Scheme In Sydney FACTORY TO UTILISE FISH CAUGHT (mom oca owk c«wssroiujMn.) SIDNEY, September 9. Early in January a fleet of vessels owned by Australasian Fisheries, Ltd., the only tenderer for the Government's scheme to mesh-net Sydney's beaches from Port Hacking to Broken Bay, will, it is expected, begin 'the most expertly-organised shark patrol ever attempted in any part of the world. From Palm Beach, where the first net will be sunk, to Port Hacking, the vessels will place in position 60,000 feet of net every seven days, and in this enormous under-water web it is expected that from 300 to 500 sharks will be caught each week. In addition to the sea beaches, Middle Harbour, Broken Bay, and the Parramatta, George's and Hawkesbury rivers will be netted. All vessels will be equipped with flood-lighting apparatus for night operations. They will carry wireless receiving sets and when messages are picked up in the daytime from patrol aeroplanes off the beaches, they will proceed at once to capture any sharks that have been "spotted." Each day nets 1000 feet long will be set. Early each morning the catch will be removed and the nets set again before the haul is removed to the factory for treatment. By the end of 1936, officials and Australasian Fisheries are confident that danger of sharks in surfing areas and estuaries, which are used by nearly 500,000 persons every week, will be almost negligible. Because of the late start which is being made, it is pointed out, the best results of meshing will not be apparent during this surfing season. It is next winter's meshing that will count.

High-powered Boats Four boats will be employed by Australasian Fisheries in meshnetting operations, and they will work on all week-ends and holidays. Three of the vessels will be 45 feet long, high-powered, with full Diesel engines, and of the type used in the highly efficient American fisheries. They will be able to traverse the coast in all reasonable weather and will be easy and safe to handle in close proximity to the beaches or shore line. This intensive campaign against sharks will go hand-in-hand with an attempt to develop the fishing industry of Australia on an organised basis and eventually make it unnecessary for this country to import fish. Within the next few weeks, a start will be made w'th the erection of a modern factory, probably on the shores of Botany Bay, equipped with the most up-to-date machinery to handle the hauls of sharks from the nets and such surface swimming fish as herring, pilchard, sprat, anchovy, and Australian salmon. As well as sharks, the factory will receive supplies of fish from private fishermen and trawlers, and any marine wastes that may be available from municipal markets and fish agents. Every part of the shark can be utilised. From the skin several grades of leather are made, and essential oils are obtained from the liver and intestines. Fertiliser is extracted from the bones, glue can be made from the head, and in China the fins are considered a great delicacy. It is intended to place upon the market every kind of edible fish taken in the nets in the form of fresh fish fillets, and undertake distribution to country centres.